Years ago I read a story from a new animator studying with one of the "Nine Old Men" from Disney, considered to be masters of animation. The student asked his teacher what music he listens to while he animates. The teacher roars back something like, 'I'm not smart enough to do two things at the same time!' Unfortunately I cannot locate the book with this story to get the exact quote.
I've told this story to numerous people over the years and every last one of them dismissed it. 'I'm different' or 'actually I'm more focused when I listen to music.' Because additional sensory stimulus somehow allows your brain to dedicate more resources to your primary focus? We are so sure that we are achieving our full potential.
Found it. From The Animator's Survival Kit by Richard Williams. It is so important that it's lesson one! Abridged:
Unplug! Take off your head phones! .... Close the door.
Like many artists, I had the habit of listening to classical music or jazz while working. On one of my first visits to Milt Kahl I innocently asked:
"Milt, Do you ever listen to classical music while you're working?"
"[Expletives]...! I'm not smart enough to think of more than one thing at a time!"
Since it came from a genius, this made quite an impression on me. After this I learnt to face the silence and think before swirling my pencil around. My animation improved right away.
This has been the case with many artists when I've passed this wisdom along. .... They were even more surprised at the startling improvement in their work.
[Image of artist with shirt that reads, "animation is concentration"]
